Make Ahead Appetizer Recipes: Easy Party and Finger Foods

Having a few good make ahead appetizer recipes in your arsenal is a really, really wonderful way to take some of the stress --sometimes a HUGE amount of the stress-- out of planning a party menu (or a dinner party menu). When you don't have to worry about putting together all of your menu items during the party itself, you might actually get to... you know, enjoy your party. Wow. Unheard of, right?

Now, there are lots of ideas out there for make ahead appetizer recipes that you can put together in the days or hours before serving. Some of them are going to be simple cold appetizers that you assemble and pop in the fridge. You serve them cold, so there's not much left to do. Some of them will require a bit more minimal last-minute preparation right before serving.

Beside the great recipes you'll find below, which are some of my favorite appetizers you can make ahead, also look for these sorts of appetizer recipes:

My advice? When planning your menu, make an effort to include as many make ahead appetizer recipes as humanly possible! You'll want to kiss yourself in thanks later on.

Cherry Tomato Bites with Herbed Feta Appetizers

This is a wonderful make ahead appetizer recipe for a summer get-together, or whenever you want some really fresh, bright flavors. Try to opt for high-quality, ripe cherry tomatoes. Cherry pear tomatoes, if you can find them, are wonderful in this recipe.

Bought some cherry tomatoes that aren't quite ripe enough? Instead of popping 'em in the fridge, put them near the window for a day or so (in a bowl-- take them out of their plastic container) and they should sweeten up.

Instructions: 1. In a small bowl, combine feta, oil, shallot, garlic and oregano. Toss well. Salt and pepper to taste.

2. Cut each tomato in half crosswise. Using a teaspoon or small melon baller, remove seeds. Place a feta cube into the center of each tomato half and top with an olive quarter. Place stuffed tomatoes on a serving platter and drizzle with a little more olive oil.

3. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

4. Can be refrigerated up to 8 hours, covered with plastic wrap.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Stuffed Endive

This is one of those make ahead appetizer recipes that seems so simple on the surface... but it's actually an amazing mix of flavors. Something about the bitter crunch of the endive with the tanginess of the goat cheese and the slightly raisin-y sweetness of the sun dried tomato is just heaven. Definitely more than the sum of its parts.

Tip: Want to make this appetizer recipe look really pretty? Use only the smaller, more tender inside leaves of the endive. Also, instead of smearing the goat cheese mixture onto each endive leaf, let it come to room temperature, place it in a pastry bag, and pipe it on the leaf in a pretty design.

Instructions: 1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except endive. Mix until well incorporated.

2. After trimming ends from endive, separate leaves and arrange on serving platter.

3. Spread cheese mixture evenly onto each endive leaf.

4. Serve immediately. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.

5. Can be pre-made and refrigerated up to 2 hours. (Cover with plastic wrap)

Tangy-Sweet Mini Tarts with Roquefort, Black Pepper, and Pear

There's something so unassumingly elegant about this appetizer-- it's a really good option for an event like a baby shower or a wedding event. The roquefort's pungentness is really softened by the touch of pear, and the whole dish is given a surprising bite with the black pepper.

This can be made on the spot, or easily used as a make ahead appetizer recipe. Simply assemble up until step 2, cover loosely with foil, and refrigerate up to 4 hours. Then bake as directed. Easy peasy! And delicious, too.